Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) School Age Child Care (SACC) Program

About the Prince William County Public
Schools (PWCS) School Age Child Care (SACC) Program

The contract to operate the SACC Program is granted through the Prince William County Public Schools Office of Student Services. Minnieland has proudly served as the contractor for the SACC Program for more than 20 years. Minnieland demonstrates its ability to meet the needs of the community by offering high quality, affordable before and after school care at 53 Prince William County elementary schools.

The program provides developmentally appropriate experiences which promote gross and fine motor skills, language skills, communication skills, cognitive skills, social and emotional skills, positive self-concept, curiosity, interest and exploration. The program also provides daily experiences that promote a child's sense of industry, responsibility, independence, social competence, and physical and academic development.

Before school begins, the program is set up so that children may choose from playing quiet games, completing their homework, reading, talking with friends or working on simple art projects. Breakfast is served by the school cafeteria staff approximately 30 minutes before school begins. The children come directly to the SACC room at school dismissal and attendance is taken. The children have outside (weather permitting) time for strenuous physical or large muscle play when they first reach SACC, since they have not had the opportunity to burn off energy earlier. Then the children have an opportunity to visit with friends while eating their afternoon snack.

Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each program has a 30 minute quiet time for homework or reading each afternoon except Friday. Minnieland also incorporates a World-Class Educational Enrichment Component (EEC) into the daily program. The EEC encompasses at least one hour four days a week and is directed by a Prince William County Schools teacher. The EEC begins with and continues after the program's defined quiet activity time used for homework and reading.

The SACC Program is designed and licensed to serve families based on the following requirements:

Families must reside in Prince William County.

All adults living in the home must be working and/or attending employment-related educational or training programs at least 20 hours per week. You may be required to furnish evidence that these requirements have been met.

Children must attend kindergarten through grade five at the school hosting the SACC program. Children may only attend SACC at the school they attend.

The summer program is open to any child who has completed kindergarten through fifth grade, and meets the second requirement above. Children who live outside the county but whose parents work in Prince William County may enroll in the summer SACC program on a space available basis and at an additional cost.

Children must be 5 to 12 years of age.

Enrollment is done yearly for each school year. A separate enrollment is required for Spring, Winter, and Summer Camps. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

To begin the registration process, click on the “Register Now” button.

Tuition for the SACC Program is intended to be all-inclusive. Weekly tuition is based upon the cost of providing care for the child for the school year, paid in weekly installments. This weekly tuition includes the cost of care for teacher workdays, early dismissals, and teacher conference days. Weekly tuition also includes the cost of field trips, special SACC events, and in-house programs.

Tuition is not reduced for school holidays, inclement weather, or absences of less than 5 consecutive days. Weekly tuition is not charged during Winter and Spring breaks when the school program is closed.

A non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of $40 is charged at the time of enrollment for each child.

Tuition charges are as follows:

Number of children

Before Only (B) Program

After Only (A) Program

Before and After (BA) Program

1

$60.00

$65.00

$89.00

2

$115.00

$124.00

$170.00

3

$164.00

$177.00

$242.00

Family discounts, scholarships, and reduced tuition are available to those who qualify. Contact the Minnieland School Age Care Office at 703-670-2131 for more information.

During the regular school year, the SACC program begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. on all instructional school days and teacher workdays unless weather prohibits opening or it is a school holiday. Children may enroll in the Before Only (B), After Only (A), or Before & After (BA)program. All programs are offered Monday – Friday.

There is no extended or drop-in SACC care available.

The SACC Program is not open on school holidays. During the school year, Prince William County Public Schools observe various holidays. Please check your school calendar for the holiday schedule and closings.

The SACC Program will not be open when school is closed due to inclement weather.

When Prince William County Schools declare a two hour delayed opening due to inclement weather, the SACC Program will also operate under a two hour delay. The SACC Program will open at 8:00 a.m. and will extend through the two-hour delay. All currently enrolled SACC students are welcome to attend.

If the School Division closes schools early due to inclement weather or other emergency, the SACC Program is closed also. If the School Division cancels all afterschool and/or evening activities due to weather or other emergency, the SACC Program will close at 5:00 p.m.

All currently enrolled SACC students may attend full-day SACC on teacher workdays. Some SACC Programs will be combined and parents will bring their children to and pick them up from the host school.

On half-day parent/teacher conference days when school is dismissed early, SACC will operate from dismissal until 6:30 p.m. All full-time (BA) and part-time afternoon (A) students may attend.

The SACC Program will run Winter Break and Spring Break camps at selected locations. Enrollment in the Winter and Spring Camps is available to all children currently attending Prince William County public schools. If a child is not currently enrolled in the school year SACC Program, the child must be registered before beginning the program. Applications are available for Winter Camp in late fall and for the Spring Camp in late winter.